Mumbai, May 6: A shocking case of cyber fraud has emerged from the Bhandup area of Mumbai, where scammers threatened a retired bank manager with involvement in a Delhi bomb blast and money laundering case. Over a span of 54 days, they coerced him into transferring ₹40.90 lakhs. Following the complaint, the Mumbai Cyber Cell has launched an investigation.
The victim, Rajendra, a retired manager from Maharashtra State Co-operative Bank, received a video call on March 10 from an account named ‘ATS Department’ on the Signal app. The caller, identifying himself as ‘PSI Singh’ from the Delhi ATS, claimed that Rajendra’s name had surfaced in connection with the January bomb blast and money laundering case.
The fraudsters informed him that his Aadhaar and mobile number had been used to open a bank account in Karnataka, which had suspicious transactions amounting to ₹2.65 crores. They also threatened him with arrest and asset seizure, citing a Supreme Court order.
Creating an atmosphere of fear, the scammers forced Rajendra to isolate himself in a separate room at home, refrain from speaking to anyone, and remain on continuous video calls. Under immense mental pressure, he initially transferred ₹2.90 lakhs. Subsequently, they coerced him into selling his investments in the stock market, resulting in an additional ₹28 lakhs being transferred to various bank accounts.
Furthermore, the fraudsters extorted ₹10 lakhs under the guise of ‘bail security,’ which Rajendra’s wife had to borrow. They assured him that the entire amount would be returned within two days and the matter would be resolved, but once they received the money, they severed all contact.
After several days of waiting without any response, Rajendra realized he had been scammed. He filed a complaint with the cyber helpline 1930 on May 3 and subsequently lodged a formal complaint with the Cyber Cell on May 4.
According to Mumbai police, this case highlights a dangerous trend in cybercrime known as ‘digital arrest,’ where scammers exploit the fear of government agencies to mentally pressure victims into surrendering large sums of money.
Currently, the Cyber Cell is investigating the relevant bank accounts and is working to identify the perpetrators.
My name is Narendra Jijhontiya. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including TECHNOLOGY, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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